We now have more information, more choices, and more responsibility for our retirement savings. But will the future we want be the future we are able to get?
Selling a second property? Cashing in a share portfolio? When you sell a valuable asset that’s gone up in value since you bought it, you may have to pay Capital Gains Tax or CGT on your profits.
When we talk about saving and investing, we generally think of it as setting some money aside for the future.
In all the excitement and exhilaration of getting a brand new job, or a big promotion, it’s easy to overlook your death-in-service benefits.
Inflation is a topic that has been making headlines this year. It’s important to understand how it can impact your savings and investments.
The Lifetime ISA (LISA) replaced the government’s Help to Buy ISA scheme at the end of 2019. LISAs were designed to help younger savers get on the property ladder or start to save for later life. And they look attractive. For every LISA contribution you make, the government will add 25% – tax-free.
The first half of the year could be described as a bit topsy turvy, with some high-profile failures being reported alongside companies boasting record revenues and profits. Globally, inflation has fallen but still remains high, while the ongoing war in Ukraine, geopolitical uncertainty, and record heatwaves have all added to a state of economic nervousness.
I spent some time last week with a couple of clients who both have parents in residential care. The questions I answered are common ones, and I thought it might be helpful to look at some of the rules in this area.
During long periods where financial markets do well, the voice of the passive investor tends to be heard most loudly. These are periods in which it is relatively easy to deliver positive returns – the rising tide lifts all boats.
So far, I’ve written a mixture of practical pieces with some clear tips for growing and protecting your money, and some personal pieces on how I think about money.
